The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (or RGS for short) is a selective day and boarding grammar school for boys aged 11-18 situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. They became an Academy in February 2011. Established by the Royal Charter in 1562 (though originally established as a school in 1550), it is situated on Amersham Hill, in a pleasant residential area.
We were invited to meet with the school to recommend how we would provide a solution for their challenge. Prior to our introduction, the school had already looked at several ideas, but they were proving costly.
During our site review, we recognised the potential of the schools partly enclosed, and unheated, undercroft area that students used to shelter from bad weather. It already had 2-walls and a roof, and was of signficiant size and in a great location. It was this space that we proposed to be transformed into a new and modern social space.
The final result produced a ‘high-street café feel’ that doubled as a meeting / conference space. It accommodates various configurations, whilst maintaining comfort and functionality for all thanks to the choice of quality furnishings and décor. And close-by we also converted classrooms and office spaces into a more formal study area.
We followed this project with the remodel and refurbishment of the first floor of the adjacent block to provide open plan informal and formal study areas. We removed some of the internal walls to open the spaces to each other to allow passive supervision by the staff.
Completed in 2 phases, with phase 1 costing £1.1 million and phase 2 costing £300,000.
August 2023 and November 2024
Want to know more? Send an email to one of our team members today to find out how we can support you.
